Faith Ringgold

“If one can anyone can, all you gotta do is try”

  • Name: Faith Ringgold
  • Born: October 8, 1930
  • From: Harlem, New York City 
  • Education: City College of New York
  • Occupation: Artist
  • Known For:
      • A fervent civil rights and gender equality activist
      • A silk painting with embroidery artist
      • Artist of “The American Collection” (1997) where she endeavors to rewrite African American art history, emphasizing the importance of family, roots, and artistic collaborations
  • Awards:
      • Medal of Honor for Fine Arts, National Arts Club, January 19, 2017
      • National Women’s History Project, Women’s Art: Women’s Vision  Air Gallery, March 28, 2008
      • Wisdom Award, national Visionary leadership Program – the intergenerational Summit on the State of Black America at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC  2007
      • Harlem Arts Alliance Golden Legacy Visual Arts Award, February 5, 2007
      • Teacher of the Year, NYC Teachers Association, October 28, 2006

Faith was born Faith Will Jones, the youngest of three children born to Andrew and Willi Jones, who raised their children during the Harlem Renaissance and exposed them to all of its cultural offerings. She began her painting career in the 1950s. Her early work is composed with flat figures and shapes. She later became famous for innovative quilted narrations that communicate her political beliefs. She was inspired by the writings of James Baldwin and Amiri Baraka, African art, Impressionism, and Cubism to create the works she made in the 1960s.

Handout

To download the Handout:

  1. Click on the image
  2. Right-click and select Save Image As…
  3. Print
  4. Write a description on the line and decorate.
  5. Cut out and use for a selfie to share on our social media page.
  6. Download a card and envelope template and write about an idea this leader inspires.
  7. Check out more resources and ways to celebrate MLK can be found on these links as well as our official  Day of Service opportunity to volunteer.

This ASI Special event is an ongoing volunteer-led project made by people like you, using multiple educational sources regularly being revised and updated. We would love your assistance if you or your group would like to get involved, learn more here.